We've done all sorts of things in the past, from quizzes to songs, from serious, month by month accounts to jokey things. I even did A Day In The Life Of Us one year. I always get flak for them.
One year, I was too ill to write one and that was the end of the relationship for some family members. Somehow this was the worst insult possible. Last year, we were seriously criticised by another family member for being too 'negative' and mentioning Grace's autism. {sigh}
Ever since starting this blog, I've directed people toward it. if they are interested, it's an interactive way of keeping in touch with us. If they can't be bothered, then it's really not my problem!
So this year, I had a brainwave. I won't send a letter, just this Smilebox page, printed out and enclosed in the envelope with the card and the blog address. The occasion was the highlight of the year for us as a family. It's just tough if anyone thinks it's boastful. I can't please all the people all the time!
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It makes me smile just looking at the photos again. Great memories for us all.
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11 comments:
I think that's lovely holiday greeting! What a great idea to celebrate the highlight of the year in a photo essay with the details for all to read.
I do a newsletter every year - started 14 years ago when my daughter was born and I'd be separated from most of my father's family for reasons not of my making. Although one family member returned my letter with a note not to bore people with the minutiae of our lives, the others all responded warmly and wonderful new relationships were formed.
I love to get family newsletters from my friends and family - we're all so scattered these days and so busy that it's a chance to curl up with cup of tea and reconnect with everyone and read about what they've been doing all year.
Happy Christmas!
It's BEAUTIFUL, Dorothy! Some years I send a card and some years I don't... Not sure if I will this year or not. One year I just sent our picture with the link to our website. One year I did a collage like you did this year. I'm with you re blogging.. if people REALLY want to keep in touch with us then can just click on the blog. Everyone on my Christmas card list has internet. I will most likely at least send a pic because I know some like to keep them on their fridge...
Forgot to say that my FAVORITE picture was the one of the kids walking down the road barely looking back... that was gorgeous!
Still love these photos - and Grace is just so beautiful!
Congrats on coming up with something so meaningful and hope people like it.
This is a fabulous idea, Dorothy! It seems I'm always getting good Christmas card ideas from you. Are you printing them out yourself? What size?
Linda,
They came out at 8 inches square. Our paper size is different to yours so I suspect it was shrunk to fit somehow.
Folding them was a little tricky!
Great idea! I might try this as well. I don't feel like doing my regular "form" letter off to everyone this year. Boy, your family sounds as difficult as my own. God bless you.
It's absolutely lovely! I even enlarged it so I could see/read it all. :)
How shocking that some people would complain, criticize, or otherwise negatively comment about whatever you decide to send. I would find it difficult to send something at all after that, other than just a somewhat generically signed card...
I love the idea!
It's quite astonishing how rude people can be about Christmas letters, isn't it?
I've never had folks complain and like you we've done a variety of things. I think I'd like to send out some sort of update but we're still deciding what it will be. We've not sent one out in about 5 years. We made calendars for family and the older kids that are on their own....they were great fun...which put us in the mood to say a bit more and send with the Cards - which we've also not sent out in 5 years. LOL Folks do know we have a blog and those who want the details love it. That has made it easier not to stress over a yearly letter.
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